The best P&O Cruises ship depends on who is travelling. For families and first-timers, the newest ships, Arvia (2022) and Iona (2021), have the most facilities and the most choice. Couples who want a resort-style ship without the 5,000-guest crowds often pick Britannia. If you want a calm, child-free cruise, the two adults-only ships, Aurora and Arcadia, are the obvious choice. Just check the dates first, because both are taking children on a small number of sailings in 2026–27. The fleet is also changing: in October 2026 Carnival announced that Arcadia will leave for Holland America Line in 2029 and that Cunard’s Queen Anne will join P&O under a new name.
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How we compared the ships
This is not a “ranked by reviews” list. Review sites show star scores and review counts for every P&O ship. But those scores mix sailings from different years, refits and itineraries, so they are a poor way to rank ships that are 22 years apart in age. Instead, we compared the seven ships on things you can check:
- Age and class: newer ships usually have more modern cabins, more balconies and more venues.
- Size: guest numbers affect how busy the pool decks, buffets and theatres feel.
- Who the ship is for: family ship or adults-only.
- Itineraries: short breaks, Northern Europe, Mediterranean, Caribbean fly-cruises or long grand voyages.
Ship details below are based on P&O Cruises and industry sources as of October 2026. Guest numbers are approximate, based on two people per cabin. Ships can carry more when they are full of families.
P&O Cruises fleet at a glance (2026)
| Ship | Entered service | Guests (approx.) | Family or adults-only | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arvia | 2022 | 5,200 | Family | Families, Caribbean fly-cruises, the newest facilities |
| Iona | 2021 | 5,200 | Family | Families and groups sailing from Southampton |
| Britannia | 2015 | 3,650 | Family | Couples and mixed groups who want choice without the biggest crowds |
| Azura | 2010 | 3,100 | Family | Value-minded families, mid-size ship fans |
| Ventura | 2008 | 3,080 | Family | Families who want a lower fare on a well-equipped ship |
| Arcadia | 2005 | 2,100 | Adults-only (selected family sailings) | Long voyages and world cruises without children |
| Aurora | 2000 | 1,870 | Adults-only (selected family sailings) | A traditional, smaller-ship feel; grand tours |
The ships, one by one
Arvia (2022): the newest ship
Arvia is the newest ship in the fleet and, with Iona, the biggest, at around 184,000 gross tons and 5,200 guests. She is an Excel-class ship powered by LNG, like Iona. The main reasons to choose her are the wide choice of restaurants, bars and entertainment, and her winter Caribbean season. In 2026–27 she runs fly-cruises from Barbados, Antigua and St Kitts. The downside of a ship this size is the same as on any mega-ship: popular venues and pools get busy on sea days.
Iona (2021): the big family ship from Southampton
Iona is Arvia’s sister and much the same: lots of dining, a covered SkyDome pool and entertainment area, and plenty to keep teenagers and younger children busy. Most of her sailings go from Southampton, often to Norway and Northern Europe in summer. That makes her an easy no-fly choice for families. If fjords appeal, see our guide to a Norwegian fjords cruise from the UK.
Britannia (2015): the middle ground
At around 143,000 tons and 3,650 guests, Britannia sits between the newest giants and the older mid-size ships. She has a good range of restaurants and lounges and still welcomes families. Many passengers find her a happy compromise: newer and better equipped than Azura or Ventura, but with about 1,500 fewer guests than Iona or Arvia.
Azura (2010) and Ventura (2008): the mid-size family ships
These two Grand-class sisters each carry around 3,100 guests. They are family-friendly, with kids’ clubs, several pools and a big-ship feel without the newest ships’ scale. Because they are older, fares are often lower than on Iona or Arvia. That makes them good value for families who don’t need every new feature. Expect some cabins and public areas to feel more dated than on the newer ships, depending on when each area was last refurbished.
Arcadia (2005): adults-only, with a 2029 departure date
Arcadia is an adults-only Vista-class ship of about 84,000 tons and 2,100 guests. She is known for long voyages: her January 2027 world cruise runs to 106 nights. On 6 October 2026, Carnival UK announced that Arcadia will leave P&O in August 2029 and join Holland America Line. Her farewell season had not been announced at the time of writing. Arcadia cruises already on sale before the transfer are due to sail as planned. If you have wanted to sail on her as a P&O ship, 2027–29 is the time.
Aurora (2000): the classic ship
Aurora is the oldest and smallest ship in the fleet, at about 76,000 tons and roughly 1,870 guests. She has a more traditional style and a loyal following among guests who prefer a quieter ship. She also sails longer itineraries, including a 75-night Grand Tour in January 2027. Aurora is not part of the 2029 fleet changes. Even so, she is now more than 25 years old, so check the line’s announcements if you are booking far ahead.
What’s changing: Queen Anne joins P&O in 2029
Cunard’s Queen Anne entered service in 2024 and is a Pinnacle-class ship of about 113,000 tons that carries around 3,000 guests. She stays with Cunard until after her 2028–29 World Voyage. She will then have an extensive refurbishment and a new name before joining P&O Cruises in May 2029. P&O says she will be a new class of ship for the line, with “a different scale, style of onboard experience and range of itineraries”. Her new name, her refit plans, her first itineraries and whether she will be adults-only or family-friendly had not been announced at the time of writing. When she arrives, P&O will still have seven ships, but its newest mid-size ship will replace one of its two adults-only ships.
Which P&O ship is the biggest?
Iona and Arvia are joint largest, each about 184,000 gross tons and 5,200 guests at two per cabin. They are among the biggest ships sailing from the UK. Britannia comes next, then Azura and Ventura, then Arcadia, with Aurora the smallest.
Best P&O ship for couples
It depends on the atmosphere you want:
- Quiet and child-free: Aurora or Arcadia. Avoid the selected family departures listed below.
- Lots to do, fewer crowds: Britannia, which has a good choice of restaurants and bars at around 3,650 guests.
- Newest everything, or Caribbean sun: Arvia. Couples may want to avoid school holidays, when she is busiest with families.
Best P&O ship for families
Iona and Arvia have the most for children and teenagers and the most cabin choice, including cabins for larger families. Iona suits no-fly holidays from Southampton. Arvia’s Caribbean fly-cruises suit winter half-term or Christmas trips. Azura and Ventura cost less and still have kids’ clubs and family facilities, and Britannia is a good choice for multi-generation groups. If you are thinking of a Caribbean trip, our guide to cruise deals for 2027 covers when to book.
Family sailings on the adults-only ships
In October 2025, P&O announced that guests of all ages can book a small number of Aurora and Arcadia sailings. These run from December 2026 to September 2027: 12 Aurora and 8 Arcadia departures, mostly short breaks and summer Northern Europe, Norway and Mediterranean cruises. All other sailings on both ships stay adults-only. If you want a cruise without children, check the cruise code with P&O or your agent before you book. If you are a family who likes smaller ships, these sailings are a new option.
Once you have picked a ship, our guide to Azura cabins to avoid explains which locations to skip and which cabins to book.
If you are still deciding between a cruise or Center Parcs for a family break, our side-by-side comparison covers costs for a family of four.
Once you have picked your ship, our guide to Iona cabins to avoid helps you choose the right cabin on P&O’s first Excel-class ship.
FAQs
What is the best P&O Cruises ship overall?
No single ship is best for everyone. Arvia is the newest and best equipped, Britannia is a popular middle ground, and Aurora and Arcadia suit adults who want a quieter cruise.
Is Arcadia leaving P&O Cruises?
Yes. Arcadia is due to leave P&O in August 2029 and join Holland America Line, after a farewell season that has not yet been announced. Cruises already on sale before then are due to sail as planned.
What will Queen Anne be called with P&O?
The new name had not been announced at the time of writing. She is due to join P&O in May 2029 after a major refurbishment.
Which P&O ships are adults-only?
Aurora and Arcadia are adults-only on most sailings. Between December 2026 and September 2027, a small number of their departures are open to guests of all ages.